This is the Western Mongolia chapter from Lonely Planet’s Mongolia guidebook.

With its raw deserts, glacier-wrapped mountains, shimmering salt lakes and the hardy culture of nomads, falconry and cattle rustling, western Mongolia is a timeless slice of ‘Central Asia’.

• soar above the borders of Mongolia, China and Russia when you climb to the top of Tavan Bogd
• maps
• rub shoulders with Kazakh eagle-hunters during Ölgii’s Eagle Festival
• transport
• restaurants & accommodation
• trek to the twin peaks of Türgen Uul and Kharkhiraa Uul, a rugged landscape of glaciers, green meadows and boulder fields

Coverage includes: Bayan-Ölgii, Ölgii, Tsambagarav Uul National Park, Tolbo Nuur, Sagsai, Tsengel, Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, Khovd, Khovd City, Khar Us Nuur National Park, Chandmani, Tsenkheriin Agui, Mönkh Khairkhan National Park, Uvs, Ulaangom, Uvs Nuur, Üüreg Nuur, Kharkhiraa Uul & Türgen Uul, Khökh Nuur, Khar Us Nuur, Achit Nuur, Khyargas Nuur National Park, Zavkhan, Uliastai, Zagastain Davaa, Otgon Tenger Uul Strictly Protected Area, Tosontsengel and Telmen Area.